First TIme Out

[texanron]

After recieving my CHL in the mail Friday (12/17/2010) the wife and I went out to dinner at a place we frequent for comfort. Firearm was concealed IWB covered by an untucked shirt. Carry position was 4 o'clock. The only act that had me wondering if I would be discovered was when I went to sit down or stand up. I was thinking the grip/butt of the gun would push out against the shirt and be noticeable that something was there. Then I realized that if I just sit down or get up as normal the act is so fast nobody will notice a bulge.
Saturday, the wife and I finished up our Christmas shopping at variuos locations. I caught myself frequently pulling on the shirt tail to make sure it wasn't get caught up between the gun and my back. The act of bending at the knees to reach stuff on the lower shelves took some getting use to.
Church services on Sunday was the final hurdle of the first weekend of carrying. The only concern I had there was somebody giving me a hug and accidentally discovering I had something under my shirt. To counter this I tried to keep my right arm low to force their left arm up high.
All in all I was more comfortable carrying than I thought I would be. Tonight we have to make a visit to a hospital that is 30.06 posted. this will be the first instance since revieving my CHL that I have to leave my weapon behind.

[USA1]

Congratz.

Since we live in the same town, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for someone with a bulge at 4 oclock.
I'll be the guy with the bulge at 3 oclock.

[RPB]

Congrats, sounds like you did all things well.

I do a shirt check on leaving my vehicle, then not again usually. (long enough Tee shirts)

My Guayabera shirts over the Tees have enough in the lower pockets for weight should it be windy or if I stand up ... and create spare "bulges" to detract from any others.

I figure checking ONCE is good to show I never "intentionally" failed to conceal ... a lot of tugging can draw attention.

Congrats on the "go-low" hugging strategy, it always woks for me too

I notice "Tomball" ... at my church in central Texas is a retired LEO from Tomball, also he's a CHL .... guess what we talk about in the kitchen prior to and after church; he attends gun shows ... collects 1911s

[Rescue1]

Congratz.

Since we live in the same town, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for someone with a bulge at 4 oclock.
I'll be the guy with the bulge at 3 oclock.

I Carry at 2 oclock but please don't look for the bulge

don't worry the shirt tugging will diminish as you feel more comfortable.

[cougartex]

Congratulations.

[C-dub]

Good job Texanron!

[Divided Attention]

Looks like there should be a Tomball club! Maybe I will be watching for belt clips on patrons at the pawn shop next time I am in there wishing!

[HotLeadSolutions]

Sounds like you have things under control. Just remember that buldge could be anything....

[texanron]

Thanks for the comments fellas!

I'll work on not pulling at the shirt so much. I did notice that shirts with patterns on them make it harder to see the bulge versus solid color shirts that tend to make the buldge more noticeable. But, like HotLead stated, that bulge could be anything.

Looks like there should be a Tomball club! Maybe I will be watching for belt clips on patrons at the pawn shop next time I am in there wishing!

You must be talking about Tomball Pawn at Four Corners!

I notice "Tomball" ... at my church in central Texas is a retired LEO from Tomball, also he's a CHL .... guess what we talk about in the kitchen prior to and after church; he attends gun shows ... collects 1911s

There are 4 former/current police officers at my church that I wonder if they carry in church. Eventually I'll just have to ask them I guess.

[USA1]

Looks like there should be a Tomball club! Maybe I will be watching for belt clips on patrons at the pawn shop next time I am in there wishing!

You must be talking about Tomball Pawn at Four Corners!

I was thinking that too....best prices around.

[Jasonw560]

Sounds like you have things under control. Just remember that buldge could be anything....

(In best Ah-nold voice) IT'S NOT A TOO-MUH!!

[81aggie]

Congratulations on getting the plastic. The first few times carrying can make you feel a bit conspicuous, you just know everyone is staring at you. I remember doing the shirt tugs and checking my reflection in every shiny surface that I walked past. That feeling disappears pretty quickly though and soon carrying becomes second nature. I often carry a pocket gun in a wallet holster in the pocket that I have always carried my wallet in and have caught myself several times almost pulling it out instead of my wallet when I go to pay for something 'cuz I just don't think about it being there anymore

[Elza]

For me personally there were three stages of carrying:

1) Paranoia. I was sure that everyone could see it and would know that I was carrying. They can’t and they don’t.

2) Complacency. I finally became comfortable and relaxed.

3) Paranoia. The one time in my life when I need a gun will be in a place that I can’t legally have it on me.

[RPB]

For me personally there were three stages of carrying:

1) Paranoia. I was sure that everyone could see it and would know that I was carrying. They can’t and they don’t.

2) Complacency. I finally became comfortable and relaxed.

3) Paranoia. The one time in my life when I need a gun will be in a place that I can’t legally have it on me.

wallet .... just don't think about it being there anymore

I've wondered if there is a 4th

4) Paranoia about complacency? or Complacently Paranoid?
When you are so comfortable carrying, you actually forget you ARE carrying, when you need it.
(However, I DOUBT it ... I think one would remember pretty quickly)
Like if I forget I'm wearing a watch, I remember when I really need to look at it.
Same with a wallet, ......... unless it's your turn to pay.

[LikesShinyThings]

For me personally there were three stages of carrying:

4) Paranoia about complacency? or Complacently Paranoid?
When you are so comfortable carrying, you actually forget you ARE carrying, when you need it.
(However, I DOUBT it ... I think one would remember pretty quickly)
Like if I forget I'm wearing a watch, I remember when I really need to look at it.
Same with a wallet, ......... unless it's your turn to pay.

I wonder about that. A couple weeks ago, I was carrying at home (I telecommute, hubby likes it when I am protected even here). I noticed a couple stray dogs wandering toward our yard. I headed out, grabbing my "thwack 'em stick" (a 3' bamboo stalk I keep by the door for such instances) as I went out the door. My thinking with dogs is you never know what they'll do - they might leave readily, but having a stick handy is a good idea, just in case they decide to attack. It wasn't until an hour after I was back at my desk (dogs safely long gone) before I remembered that I had a gun on my hip and would have had it as an alternate, had I needed it. Of course, hubby reassured me that with dogs a stick is often safer for the user than a gun (eg, try aiming toward your feet at a moving dog ravaging you, and avoid hitting yourself). I'm not consoled. I'm annoyed at myself for completely forgetting the gun was there.